CHAPTER SEVEN | COMPASSION

"I already dropped Ms. Jimenez home, Aidan... why are you here?"

Aidan knows that Martin pertains to Bernadette, who has been with him since he arrived home. He went home first to Martin, whom he ordered to assist his assistant, who suddenly passed out. They rented two separate cars to do it only for his assistant who's afraid of flying. He never thought he would be able to commute by land from La Union to Manila.

"How was she?" Bernadette immediately asked Martin instead of answering his question. It is also unknown why Bernadette is here at his penthouse. Before Martin arrived, she lectured him about compassion and taking everything slow.

Her cousin took a deep breath and sat down before answering Bernadette's question. "She's okay, and the cause was over-fatigue." Aidan saw her pouring whiskey into the glass and was about to drink it, but Bernadette immediately took the glass.

"You have to drive me home," she said, causing Martin to moan. "We will let Ms. Jimenez rest for the whole weekend. It means no calls and no emails from you. Aidan will be entertained. On Monday morning, she'll undergo a medical exam, and she can be your assistant only if she's fit to work."

Aidan can't believe Bernadette's decision as if she is no longer the CEO of Fritzgibbons Corporation.

"I am the boss, right?" he asked.

"Yeah, you are, but please act like one instead of overtesting our employee's capabilities. Fritzgibbons Corporation wouldn't be on top without them, Aidan. You're not the only one who makes an effort every day."

He didn't answer, and they were enveloped in constant silence. But not until Martin broke the silence around them. "While at Ms. Jimenez's house, I find something interesting. Do you both want to hear it?"

"Let's go home, Martin," Bernadette asked him instead of answering his question. She walked away but immediately turned back to them. "One more thing, you both cannot have an assistant until you learn to value them."

"What?!" He and Martin shouted at the same time.

"Enjoy preparing for yourselves for a while." Bernadette's words before finally leaving. "Drive me home, Martin!" They even heard Bernadette's scream from outside.

"It's going to be a hell Monday..." Martin said, leaving Aidan alone in disbelief.

What has just happened?

Aidan still couldn't believe she had heard all that from Bernadette. Did she snap? He knows it is stressful to find an assistant for the two of him and Martin, but his problem is inefficiencies. Martin's a flirt, and he's into every assistant in the skirt he had, which is Bernadette's main problem. Aidan believed they were different.

But the situation drained Bernadette already. Aidan has to do everything all by himself again. It was only three days, and his new assistant immediately gave up after showing him how good she was. He wasn't sure if Sierra could keep up with him. Aidan's life was like a never-ending war. It is forbidden to be weak-minded.

In that department, Sierra Jimenez failed. She's unfit for the position because of her unhealthiness. Hopefully, for now, because deep inside Aidan, he doesn't want to replace Sierra. She's the best, minus the fact that she leads the meeting a while ago in La Union.

For the first time in Aidan's life, he received a compliment for hiring a charming, talented, and witty assistant. Aidan needs to do something. But what will he choose, fire Sierra or keep her until she resigned and let the mishaps today all in the past?

Aidan has to decide, not only for himself but also for the company...

DICKIE bought several items suitable for sick people. It wasn't his idea, but he decided not to fire Sierra, and the driver's suggestion to him was to buy some fruits. Aidan refused to bring it personally. He just bought food, and that was enough for Aidan. He ordered Dickie to get it and returned to his penthouse.

"Let's arrange your schedule when Ms. Jimenez gets better," he said to the car driver.

"You won't even ask how she is first?"

"As long as you see her breathing, I'm okay with that."

"That's why you're labeled a devil and an inheritor of Satan because that's how you are."

He looked at Dickie intently, but like Martin, the older man didn't even flinch. "Now, since you said she's going home to Alabang, will it be okay for you to fetch her first before me?"

"That's fine with me. We'll adjust the time. I think calling you a demon will be reduced because you have a heart. Maybe Satan's throne successor will remain."

"Since you're sleeping here, I'll go with you instead of going back and forth."

"Are you going to pick up Sierra?"

"Ms. Jimenez..."

"Sierra is what she wants us to call her." He is also a naughty driver. He can't work when he's like this because Dickie's still older than him. Dickie was like a father to him. "Are you sure you want to come along for the pick-up? Did I miss something in the past three days?"

"I didn't expect you to believe in fairytales, Dickie. Of course, there's none. It's not even my priority."

"Well, you should make it a priority. You're not getting any younger, Aidan." He didn't move. When it comes to that, he avoids it because he can't see himself with a family to take care of. Maybe not now, or it just doesn't cross his mind. "Do you still think you'll be like your father?"

"Let's not talk about that, Dickie. For now, I'm okay with our schedule once Ms. Jimenez is ready to work again." He stood up with the laptop and was about to leave, but Dickie spoke.

"You're different from him. You're like your mother, so don't worry too much."

He took a deep breath instead of responding. He quickly left the living room and went to his private room. He has his bar there, and the wines which are part of his collection are neatly lined up. He took them one by one and chose one to open to drink. But something inside Aidan stopped him from drinking. A memory that he thought he was buried seven feet down under.

You can never be a Fritzgibbons when you're weak!

He firmly grasped the glass where he was supposed to pour the wine. Instead of pouring it, he threw stones at it. Aidan didn't even bother to clean up the mess. Instead, he just walked out of the private room and headed to bed himself.

Aidan was sitting in his car while Dickie was waiting for Ms. Jimenez outside the vehicle. His assistant's fit-to-work certificate was released yesterday, so the schedule that he and Dickie developed in the past will continue. Their plan is for them to pick her up before heading to the office. It was a big adjustment for Aidan, which gained praise from Bernadette. He only got a neutral reaction to Martin, who still doesn't have an assistant until now.

"Good morning, sir!" Ms. Jimenez greeted him energetically.

Her color is beautiful, and he can't help but notice her lips. Its energy is more noticeable. It was as if she hadn't been sick for days. She's not wearing her red lipstick now. Even before she passed out, he didn't know if his question affected which he knew had no other meaning. He suddenly remembered something about her red lipstick.

"Morning." He responded sparingly.

"It's nice if there's something good and you're smiling no matter what, sir,"

He looked at Dickie, who saw a smile he couldn't explain. "Let's go now. We have a lot of things to do." He stressed the word lot so his companions would notice that he was not playing fetch.

"Dickie, let's go straight to the Frodo's to get Mr. Fritzgibbons' breakfast and coffee," he heard Ms. Jimenez say to his driver.

"Have it delivered to the office," he replied. "Starting today, my meals will be delivered to the office. You should order something for yourself too."

"For me, sir?"

"You already know what I hate, right?"

"Noted on your request, sir. And thank you." He didn't pay any attention to it but instead asked about his shortlist, which he thought she couldn't do. Aidan thinks he underestimated his assistant too much. It looks like she has something to prove again. "I have a meeting with Ms. Ruiz about the satisfaction rate of our employees. Do you want to read my drafts?"

"Send it to my email. No, print it instead."

"Okay, sir."

"One more thing, you can't be sick always. Do you understand?"

"Understood, sir."

"Good,"